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posted by Lily1974
01 March 2019

Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy

Last reply: 15 June 2019 20:39
I had breast cancer 6 years ago. I initially had reconstruction using Latissimus Dorsi Muscle and an implant. The reconstructed breast sat higher than my real breast; as the implant seemed high on my chest. I had the implant removed as I had radiation and the implant suffered because of it. I had my breast rebuilt by fat grafting. This has made a huge difference. I have had 5 sessions of fat grating and completed my final one 2 years ago. They could never get my reconstructed breast to the same size of my real breast, therefore I had reduction on my real breast but the reconstructed breast is still a cup size smaller. My surgeon suggested that I have the smallest implant available inserted to make up the difference, as they cannot harvest anymore fat. I don’t know what to do. Has anyone had the same experience, or is there something else I could do instead of an implant. Don’t get me wrong the most important thing is I am healthy and well but I would like to feel normal when I look in the mirror too. If any of you can give me information or help it would be very much appreciated.
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posted by mmck
04 March 2019

Breast biopsy

Last reply: 02 April 2019 14:50
HI all. I'm 56 and just waiting to have a breast biopsy. Basically I missed my previous breast mammograms (long story). Anyhow about three weeks ago a felt a bruising on my right breast which I couldn't initially account for. Over the next few days I found myself poking at it (as you do!) and it became somewhat inflamed and sore so I went to the GP. Only on that morning I remembered having hurt my breast, approximately the day before the first time I noticed the bruised feeling. Stupidly I'd leaned on the arm of a chair to pull out a plug rather than get up and do it properly. I remembered i leaned to hard. Anyhow when my doc saw it she immediately said there was a bruise and it looked like mastitis though the area wasn't that warm. She said it was very possible to get mastitis as a result of an injury. She booked me in for a mammogram anyhow as I had missed the other. She gave me antibiotics and sure enough all returned to normal very quickly. Last Friday I went to Beaumont and the doctor first did a physical examination and was very happy, saying it felt normal (i have small breasts so easy to feel anything out of the ordinary). I then had the mammogram and on my right breast they took extra images. Then the doc did an ultrasound. Now what she says was that she saw nothing sinister. What she did say was I had calcificatiions (she didn't specify what type and it was all new to me anyway) and that sometimes these can be a marker for trouble later on. She said that as she couldn't compare the images to previous ones, that she wanted to dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s , as she put it. She once more stressed that as far as she can see there is nothing so not to worry. I am now booked in for the 12th with results she said between 7-10 days later. I'm just wondering if she was only trying to not worry me by saying that though she did mention it a couple of times that it wasn't sinister looking. Also, the fact that a week before I had had some inflammation from the mastitis, would it have an impact on what would appear on the mammogram. Thanks in advance for any views.
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posted by Janey77
08 March 2019

Did you have any symptoms

Last reply: 02 April 2019 14:51
Hi, I am going for a triple assessment next week in the mater. Found a lump behind my nipple-inside the breast not outside, and my nipple is retracted. I just wanted to ask anyone if they had any other symptoms? Tiredness or anything like that? I can only find the usual symptoms for the breast, lumps, change of colour etc. And the side effects from treatment. Thank you, Jane
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posted by Romybriem
14 March 2019

Coping

Last reply: 18 May 2019 03:28
I'm finding it hard to cope with my husband's cancer. I'm depressed and feel isolated. Also feel guilty for not coping better
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posted by Emmalu
25 March 2019

Lymphoma symptoms?

Last reply: 28 March 2021 14:37
Hi, the last couple of months I’ve had a lump below my left breast over my lower rib. It’s not painful but I do have some discomfort on that side. Also experiencing mild nausea especially when I eat plus periodic sweats and itchy feet, especially at night. I know some of these could be symptoms of lymphoma but km wondering would that be a normal location for it to be? Do you think it warrants a doctor visit? I don’t want to go along being dranatic but this thing is not going away plus I’m struggling a lot with fatigue. I keep Blaming that that on my underactive thyroid but I’m not sure that’s it now. Just wondering others thoughts? Thanks in advance
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posted by Sarah M
26 March 2019

Tamoxifen prescription

Last reply: 02 April 2019 14:56
Hi there, just coming towards the end of my time on tamoxifen and the experience has been positive. But one thing that has been a pain from beginning to end has been the hassle of trotting around getting prescriptions from the GP or consultant then going back and forth to the pharmacy to pick the medication up... they hardly ever have more than one or two months in stock, sometimes they don’t have it at all, the GP won’t give more than a six month prescription at a time and ordering a repeat prescription can’t be done over the phone...it’s just a constant toing and froing over what is a very straightforward medication which I’ve been on for ten years and would only ever have changed at my own request. I see no reason why I can’t get a 12 month prescription at my annual check up and pick it up in one go, but every time I suggest this I’m told how it’s all for my own good... which I find irritating and paternalistic. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
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posted by mairead33
01 April 2019

Ileostomy reversal

I am presently recovering from rectal cancer surgery December 2017 and had an ileostomy reversal in April 2018. As my bowel motions are still quite erratic I would like to connect with others who have had an ileostomy reversal experience to ascertain perhaps how long it took for the bowel motions to settle.
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posted by mairead33
01 April 2019

Ileostomy reversal

Last reply: 16 April 2020 16:31
I am presently recovering from rectal cancer surgery December 2017 and had an ileostomy reversal in April 2018. As my bowel motions are still quite erratic I would like to connect with others who have had an ileostomy reversal experience to ascertain perhaps how long it took for the bowel motions to settle or what their experience has been. Thank you.
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posted by Triona34
05 April 2019

12 week wait for symthomathic breast clinic

Last reply: 03 May 2019 14:12
Hi all, I found a large marble size lump over a week ago, attended my GP on the day who made the referral while I was with her. She said she placed it as an urgent referral and since then I have being going slightly crazy with worry. I can’t concentrate on work or anything really ... I havnt told any family as I don’t want to worry them. Attended the GP again yesterday as the anxiety is overbearing I havnt been sleeping which I think is adding to my slight craziness. So GP contacted the clinic to no avail and this morning I received a letter saying I will be called within 12 weeks I’m at a loss and have no idea what to do .... I was hoping 2 weeks and due to my age I was thinking maybe within 6 at most. A 3 month wait just seems unbearable has anyone else had this experience or paid to go to a private appointment .... I can ask friends and family for some money but not hundreds
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posted by KD
27 April 2019

Stage4

Last reply: 03 May 2019 14:11
I have advanced bowel cancer. I notice online that there aren't as many posts although it's very common. I am only 42 and a mother of 4 who always ate well and excercised. I have a braf mutation which is aggressive and patches moved to my liver, intestine and one lymph gland. Only symptoms where when liver began to hurt as my bowel tumour was very narrow. Chemo has rid cancer on the gland but is proving resistant elsewhere so I'm now on Cetuximab still and tablet chemo. It would be good if there were more post out there so I added mine.
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